The surrounding Nascent Soul Realm cultivators showed expressions of shock and whispered, “Third lady, has the Prefect intervened in this matter?”
Fang Chen was not surprised. The Qin Clan’s ancestors and the Qi Manor Prefect had always coveted the Langya Clan’s Dao inheritance. With the Qin Clan’s forces failing, the Qi Manor Prefect had no choice but to intervene.
“Yes,” Langya Wenqiu confirmed, her face grim. “The ancestors have sent word that the Qi Manor Prefect is waiting at a Cloud Platform on the border for both sides to come for negotiations. The results of these negotiations are likely to be very unfavorable to our Langya Clan.”
“It’s strange. Why would the Manor Prefect intervene now? He had chosen to turn a blind eye and allowed the Qin Clan to attack us from the beginning. He shouldn’t have stepped in at this point,” a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator said, frowning.
The Central Continent had its own rules, and the Manor Prefect represented the official’s stance. If he didn’t handle the situation fairly, it could lead to criticism within the court. The Langya Clan is not a minor player; they also had connections with some influential figures within the court. Wouldn’t the Manor Prefect fear that the Langya Clan might report him?
“Third lady, what should we do? If the Manor Prefect gets involved, we might have to give up the territory we fought so hard to secure. All our efforts could be in vain,” a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator said with a bitter smile.
The Langya Clan had suffered casualties during this period, and conducting a major war had consumed a significant amount of their resources. After just a few months, the expenditure of spirit stones and pills was enormous. If they could conquer the Qin Clan, it would not only recover these losses but also yield a profit.
But if they stopped halfway, they’d never be able to recover their losses, much less make a profit.
Don’t ask too much. As long as the matter is resolved, that’s good. I’ve almost been caught up in the conflict between the two factions.
Several messages came in, indicating that many Killing Spiritual Division cultivators had arrived at the Azure Dao Manor during this period, likely with the same purpose as Fang Chen.
A month later… ceasefire… This message seems to carry an undeniable tone. I wonder which powerful figure will make an appearance? Fang Chen thought, curious and somewhat looking forward to it.
This powerful figure would most likely show up during the negotiations. If Fang Chen attended, he could identify the senior responsible for intervening.
As time passed, in just over twenty days, the Immortal Boat flew day and night and finally arrived at a mountain range perpetually shrouded in thick clouds and mist.
At the highest point of the mountain, there was a naturally formed platform that seemed to coexist with the clouds and mist, as if one could reach out and touch them.
“Lord Fang, we have arrived at the Cloud Platform,” an elderly woman said as she approached Fang Chen with a courteous expression.
The elderly woman exuded an aura that reached the late-stage Enlightenment realm, significantly stronger than the elders of the Parting Fiery Dao Sect. She was the true guardian assigned by the Langya Clan to protect Langya Wenqiu.
The fact that a Golden Core Realm cultivator like Langya Wenqiu was protected by a late stage Enlightenment Realm guardian showed just how much the Langya Clan valued her.
“Grandma Li, please take care of my sect’s disciples while they are here. After all, many in the Azure Dao Manor harbor hostility toward the Grand Thousand Dao Sect,” Fang Chen said with a smile and a respectful bow.
Grandma Li smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry, Lord Fang. They will be safe on the boat. If they wish to visit the Cloud Platform, I will also send someone to accompany them. With Langya Clan's cultivators present, other factions will show some respect and won’t dare to provoke them easily.”
“Thank you,” Fang Chen replied with a nod.
At that moment, Langya Wenqiu had finished her preparations and waved to Fang Chen. “Senior Brother Fang, let’s disembark.”
Soon, the two of them, accompanied by Grandma Li and several Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, arrived at the Cloud Platform.
A Golden Core Realm cultivator from Langya Clan approached Pei Qingfeng and the others with great courtesy. “Daoist Pei, would you and the others like to remain on the Immortal Boat for cultivation, or would you prefer to visit the Cloud Platform?”
Pei Qingfeng looked around with curiosity. “I wonder, what is so special about this Cloud Platform?”
Elder Xu and the others also gazed at the Cloud Platform with interest, wondering why such an important negotiation was being held here. Surely, there had to be something extraordinary about it.
“It is that two First Rate Sect Leaders had once used this platform to discuss the Dao,” the guide shared. “Since then, many cultivators have come here, hoping to gain insights into the Dao of Immortality.”
The group’s spirits were lifted. “Such a legendary story? First Rate Sect Leader level?”
Pei Qingfeng immediately said, “There is no need for formality. We would like to take a walk around, about an hour should be sufficient.”